Reliable Japanese saloon with bulletproof engineering
The Honda Accord was a staple of UK roads from 1998 to 2015, competing against the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. The 2.2 i-DTEC diesel remains the most sought-after engine, producing 148bhp with strong economy. Used prices start from around £2,000 for early 7th-gen cars, rising to £8,000-£12,000 for later 8th-gen i-DTEC models with low mileage. A shrinking but loyal UK following keeps clean examples in demand.
We track 7 known issues across the Honda Accord range, with 6 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Honda Accord? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
CG (1997–2002) — Engine options included the 1.8 VTEC, 2.2 VTEC.
CL (2002–2008) — Petrol options included the 1.8 VTEC, 2.0 i-VTEC, 2.0 i-VTEC, 2.2 VTEC, 2.4 i-VTEC, 2.4 i-VTEC, with 2.2 i-CTDi, 2.2 i-CTDi, 2.2 i-CTDi on the diesel side.
CU (2008–2015) — Petrol options included the 1.8 VTEC, 2.0 i-VTEC, 2.0 i-VTEC, 2.2 VTEC, 2.4 i-VTEC, 2.4 i-VTEC, with 2.2 i-CTDi, 2.2 i-CTDi, 2.2 i-CTDi on the diesel side.
The rear subframe mounting points are prone to severe corrosion where the subframe bolts to the main body shell. This is a structural failure that affects load-bearing areas within 30cm of suspension mounting points, causing MOT failures at The corrosion typically starts from inside the box sections and progresses outward, making it difficult to detect until advanced. Later CL/CM models show the same pattern, indicating an ongoing design weakness rather than age-related deterioration alone.
Complete subframe detachment represents a catastrophic safety failure that can cause loss of control. Repair requires removal of the rear subframe, welding of new metal sections, and full realignment. Total repair costs typically range from £1,500-£3,000 at specialist bodyshops. The car is unsafe to drive if structural corrosion is confirmed and should not be used until repaired.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Suspension components including control arms, anti-roll bar links, and mounting bushes suffer from accelerated corrosion, failing MOT tests at 3335.2x the fleet average rate. The problem affects both front and rear suspension across all engine variants, with failures recorded from 20,000 miles upward. This suggests a fundamental issue with material specification or protective coatings rather than normal wear patterns. Components may become detached during use, creating a dangerous situation.
Corroded suspension components can detach without warning, causing loss of control and potential accident. Failed components require immediate replacement of the affected arms, links, or bushes. Individual component replacement typically costs £150-£400 but multiple items often need attention simultaneously, particularly on higher-mileage examples.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Petrol engines fail emissions tests at extraordinarily high rates - up to 9-litre variants. The failures affect both manufacturer limits and default statutory limits, indicating fundamental problems with the emissions control system rather than minor drift. Common causes include failed catalytic converters, faulty lambda sensors, and EGR valve carbon buildup. The problem is worsening over time according to MOT data trends.
Emissions failures result in immediate MOT failure and prohibition from road use until repaired. Catalytic converter replacement is the most expensive repair, typically costing £400-£800 including labour. Lambda sensor replacement is less expensive at £150-£300 but often multiple sensors require attention. The car cannot be legally driven on public roads without a valid MOT certificate.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
Steering rack gaiters (protective rubber boots covering the steering rack ends) fail at exceptionally high rates - up to 3335.2x the fleet average. The gaiters protect the steering rack internals from dirt and moisture ingress. Once damaged, contamination enters the steering system causing accelerated wear of the rack mechanism itself. This affects all engine variants and represents a design weakness in the gaiter material or mounting method.
Damaged gaiters allow contamination of the steering rack internals, leading to accelerated wear and eventual steering rack replacement. Early intervention by replacing the gaiters costs £100-£200, while a complete steering rack replacement costs £600-£1,200. Contaminated steering racks can develop dangerous amounts of play or binding that affect vehicle control.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The N22A diesel engine uses a dual mass flywheel (DMF) to reduce transmission vibration and noise. The DMF consists of two weighted discs connected by springs that absorb crankshaft pulses. The springs weaken over time, causing the flywheel to rattle and vibrate, particularly noticeable at idle with the clutch engaged. This is a well-documented fault on Honda diesels of this generation and affects the majority of cars approaching 100,000 miles. Replacement requires clutch removal.
Complete DMF failure can damage the clutch assembly and transmission input shaft. The flywheel cannot be repaired and must be replaced along with the clutch assembly. Total repair cost ranges from £800-£1,400 depending on location. The car remains driveable but noise levels increase and eventual clutch damage is inevitable if left unrepaired.
Check each gear engages smoothly without crunching. Feel the clutch bite point — very high or very low can indicate wear. Listen for bearing noise when the clutch is depressed.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Honda Accord common problems page.
Based on 187k real DVSA MOT tests, the Honda Accord fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 92x the fleet average, followed by headlight fault (51x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Honda Accord MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600), timing chain tensioner inspection (£600–£900).
See the full Honda Accord service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Honda Accord is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2009-2012 8th generation with the 2.2 i-DTEC diesel and manual gearbox is the sweet spot — it avoids the early V6 automatic transmission problems of 2003-2007 7th-gen cars, and the 2008 first-year 8th-gen oil consumption issues. The 2011-2012 models are the most refined, with the facelift addressing minor electrical niggles.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Honda Accord, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Honda Accord issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.